Written Answers Monday 21 March 2005

Scottish Executive

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 28 February 2005.

Ross Finnie: Margaret Beckett represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 28 February 2005.

  On agriculture, the council adopted by qualified majority a proposal concerning wood used in packaging material entering the Union. The UK supported this proposal, which will delay until March 2006 a requirement under new EU plant health rules that such wood should have been de-barked, while the scientific evidence for this requirement is reviewed in consultation with third countries.

  The council discussed the rural development proposal, focussing on its contribution to Lisbon agenda goals for growth and development; the scope of the competitiveness objective; possible simplification, and support for Natura 2000 sites. The UK stressed that rural development measures should deliver public benefits. On competitiveness, we argued that support should be targeted on those businesses that found it difficult to raise capital through the normal channels. On simplification, we suggested that it would be appropriate to reduce the number of measures and adopt a more flexible approach to cross cutting projects. We supported the Commission’s work on biodiversity and Natura 2000 while suggesting that there could be a focus on water and climate change issues. No specific conclusions were drawn but the Presidency indicated that it would be producing a revised draft of the proposal in the course of the week.

  The council discussed the Common Agricultural Policy financing proposal. We stressed the importance of securing equitable treatment of those member states outside the euro zone, supported the case for effective application of the budgetary discipline provisions and reiterated the need for further modulation, whether voluntary or compulsory, to meet land management commitments.

  A number of points were raised under any other business. The Commission reported on: the case of a French goat in which BSE had been diagnosed, and on continuing contacts with the Russian authorities over their veterinary and plant health import requirements. The Presidency accepted a Dutch request to discuss at a future council the threat posed by Avian Influenza. Germany urged the Council to seek involvement in action on food and health, sought an update on the WTO Dispute Panel considering the EU approval system for GM crops and products, and suggested a greater use of country of origin requirements in food labelling. The Commission rejected a Spanish proposal that the sugar trade concession offered to certain developing countries under the Everything But Arms commitment should be amended. The Commission also undertook to examine a Spanish request as to whether a regionalised approach to decoupling of tobacco aid could be permitted under the CAP reforms agreed last April. Olive oil producing countries pressed for the EU to resume its contributions to international promotional campaigns. Italy requested a change in the method for calculating part of the aid granted to nut producers. Several landlocked countries pressed for action to help dispose of the exceptionally heavy cereals harvest of 2004.

  On fisheries the council reached political agreement to send decommissioned EU fishing vessels to areas affected by the tsunami. Once possible vessels had been identified, an assessment of their suitability for the relevant communities would be made. Exports would only take place in accordance with requests from the third countries concerned.

Alcohol Misuse

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available on the number of people consuming alcohol in excess of recommended limits and the amount that they consume.

Rhona Brankin: Statistics on alcohol consumption can be found in the information section of the Alcohol Information Scotland website, managed by the National Alcohol Information Resource (NAIR) www.alcoholinformation.isdscotland.org .

  Since 1995, government sensible drinking guidelines have been based on daily benchmarks. Current daily benchmarks are 3 to 4 units for men and 2 to 3 units for women.

  The General Household Survey reports data for Scotland on those exceeding daily benchmarks. In 2003, for those aged 16 and over, 44% of men and 27% of women reported exceeding daily benchmarks on at least one day in the previous week. 26% of men and 10% of women reported drinking more than double their daily benchmark on at least one day in the previous week. Data is available for Scotland from 1998 to 2003 and is reported in table 1.

  Up until 1995 sensible drinking guidelines were based on weekly consumption, with up to 21 units for men and up to 14 units for women being considered low risk weekly consumption limits.

  Data are available from the Scottish Health Survey and the Health Education Population Survey (HEPS) on those reporting exceeding recommended weekly limits.

  The 1998 Scottish Health Survey reported for those aged 16 to 74, 32% of males and 14% of females exceeded 21/14 units respectively in the previous week. Among men, 18% drank over 21 and up to 35 units, 8% drank over 35 and up to 50 units and 7% drank over 50 units in the previous week. Among women, 8% drank over 14 and up to 21 units, 4% drank over 21 and up to 35 units, and 2% drank over 35 units in the previous week. Table 2 includes this information.

  The Health Education Population Survey (HEPS) reported in 2003, for those aged 16 to 74, 25% of men and 8% of women exceeding 21/14 units in the previous week. Table 3 includes data from 1996-2003.

  Table 1. Percentage of Persons Aged 16 or Over who Drank More than 4 Units and Eight Units (Men) and Three Units and Six Units (Women) on at Least One Day by Sex: Scotland, 1998-2003

  

Year
Men1
Women2


Percentage who drank more than 4 units on at least one day last week
Percentage who drank more than 8 units on at least one day last week
Percentage who drank more than 3 units on at least one day last week
Percentage who drank more than 6 units on at least one day last week


1998
40
24
28
12


2000
45
29
29
12


2001
48
30
26
13


2002
44
26
26
12


2003
44
26
27
10



  Source: General Household Survey.

  Notes:

  1. Men: Weighted Sample 2003 was 1,604; Unweighted Sample 2003 was 652.

  2. Women: Weighted Sample 2003 was 2,066; Unweighted Sample 2003 was 839.

  3. Bases for earlier years can be found in GHS reports for each year.

  Table 2.

  Adults’ Estimated Usual Weekly Alcohol Consumption Level, by Age and Sex: Scotland 1998

  

Aged 16 to 74 
Alcohol Consumption Level (Units Per Week)
%


Men 


Have never drunk alcohol
3


Ex-drinker
4


Under 1
6


1 up to 10
30


Over 10, up to 21
25


Over 21, up to 35
18


Over 35, up to 50
8


Over 50
7


Sub-total: drinks over 21 units a week 
32


Mean units
19.1


Women


Have never drunk alcohol
8


Ex-drinker
5


Under 1
15


1 up to 7
41


Over 7, up to 14
18


Over 14, up to 21
8


Over 21, up to 35
4


Over 35
2


Sub-total: drinks over 14 units a week 
14


Mean units
6.5


Bases (weighted): 


Men 
4,363


Women 
4,527


Bases (unweighted): 


Men 
3,896


Women 
5,061



  Source: Scottish Health Survey 1998

  Table 3.

  Percentage Exceeding Recommended Weekly Limits for Alcohol‚ by Sex: Scotland 1996-2003

  

% 
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003


Men
25
24
21
26
–
27
26
25


Women
7
6
10
8
-
9
9
8


Base all respondents: 
1,810
1,795
1,794
880
–
1,757
1,742
1,720



  Source: HEPS.

Civil Service

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any restrictions on the nationalities of persons who are eligible to apply for posts in the civil service and, if so, what the reasons are for these restrictions.

Mr Tom McCabe: The civil service nationality rules are a reserved matter. There are restrictions on the nationalities of persons who are eligible to apply for posts in the civil service, and the Civil Service Management Code states what these restrictions are. The Scottish Executive has no authority to deviate from these nationality rules, including reasons for restrictions. The Civil Service Management Code can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website www.cabinet-office.gov.uk .

Crofting

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on a draft Crofting Reform Bill.

Ross Finnie: I am publishing a consultation paper today which explains the decisions taken in the light of the consultation on the white paper that was published in July 2002, and seeks views on a number of new issues. This consultation paper includes a draft bill with explanatory notes and a Regulatory Impact Assessment. In addition, a paper will be published on the Scottish Executive website which will show how the provisions in the bill would amend the text of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993. This paper will also be made available on request to consultees.

  The draft bill gives effect to most of the proposals made in the white paper and the additional measures that I announced in a parliamentary answer (S1W-34877) to Alasdair Morrison on 25 March 2003. Moreover, there are a number of measures which fulfil my commitment to look at ways to mitigate the difficulties crofting tenure imposes on renewable energy projects.

  Copies of the consultation paper Draft Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 35716). The consultation paper is also available on the Scottish Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

Customs and Excise

Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support the rebate for red diesel for fishermen and farmers, in light of the current HM Customs and Excise consultation, Hydrocarbon Oil Duty: Consultation on Changes to Excepted Vehicle Schedule.

Ross Finnie: Excise duties are a reserved matter. The Executive recognises the value to fishermen and farmers of the concession on the use of red diesel and supports its retention for the purposes for which it was originally granted.

Dentistry

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of dentists in (a) Scotland and (b) each parliamentary constituency accept NHS patients.

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of dentists in each (a) NHS board and (b) parliamentary constituency have stopped taking NHS patients in each year since 1999.

Rhona Brankin: This information is not held centrally. NHS boards may hold this information.

Dentistry

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time has been for (a) emergency and (b) routine dental treatment in each year since 1999.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is currently being validated by the Information Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland. I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and will arrange for a copy of my reply to be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Dentistry

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring has taken place of the dental health initiatives funded by the Health Improvement Fund and what improvements in dental health have been achieved as a result of these initiatives.

Rhona Brankin: Monitoring of the dental health initiatives funded by the Health Improvement Fund has measured the numbers of toothbrushes/toothpaste distributed, changes to dental registrations and the dental health of five year olds. This work has also informed the Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland  which was published on 18 March 2005.

  Data which is due to be published within the next three months will show a small but significant improvement in the dental health of five year olds in Scotland.

G8 Summit

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many security representatives from foreign states are expected to be in attendance at the G8 summit; what instructions have been given to them regarding their actions at the summit; whether Scottish police officers will be attached to these representatives for advisory and liaison purposes, and what instructions have been given to them regarding the carrying of weapons.

Cathy Jamieson: The arrangements regarding attendance at the summit by security representatives from foreign states are a matter for the UK Government. Arrangements for permission for foreign security personnel to carry firearms are a reserved matter for which the Home Secretary is responsible. Representatives of the Scottish police service are liaising closely with the UK Government on security arrangements for the summit.

  Scottish police use firearms only in certain circumstances and in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons. The guidance covers operational matters such as the selection and training of personnel, the authorisation procedures to be put in place for those carrying firearms and the form of briefings to be given by senior officers in relations to operations where firearms are to be deployed. Decisions on the number of officers authorised to use firearms are for chief constables.

Health

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) under 18, (b) 18 to 30, (c) 30 to 50, (d) 50 to 75 and (e) over 75 were admitted to hospital as a result of (i) alcohol-related conditions, (ii) drug misuse and (iii) obesity in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS board.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14008 by Mr Andy Kerr on 24 February 2005, how many people were admitted to hospital in 2002-03 as a result of (a) alcohol-related conditions, (b) drug misuse and (c) obesity, broken down by NHS board.

Rhona Brankin: Information on all admissions to general acute and psychiatric hospitals during 1997-98 to 2001-02 is shown in table 1a, table 1b and table 1c.

  Complete data on psychiatric admissions is unavailable for 2002-03 and 2003-04. Table 2a, table 2b and table 2c shows the information requested from 1997-98 to 2003-04 for admissions to general acute hospitals only.

  Copies of the tables have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 35844).

Health

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether co-proxamol will still be available through private prescriptions following the decision that the NHS will no longer pay for it to be supplied to patients.

Mr Andy Kerr: The safety of medicines available on the UK market is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the expert independent advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).

  The MHRA has advised that at the end of the phased withdrawal of co-proxamol the Marketing Authorisations (product licences) for the products will be withdrawn or cancelled. This withdrawal applies without distinction to all prescriptions whether NHS or private. There are a number of alternatives for managing pain and the CSM has issued advice on pain management options to assist prescribers, together with individual patients, in choosing pain management strategies.

  However, some patients may have special clinical needs that cannot be met by licensed medicinal products. So that these special needs may be met, medicines legislation makes provision for prescribers to order an unlicensed medicine to meet the needs of an individual patient, on their own responsibility and where they judge the benefit to the patient is justified and outweighs the risk of the unlicensed product. This would require the product to be formulated in accordance with the directions of the prescriber.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will exclude clinical services from any Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) schemes, as referred to in the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill.

Mr Andy Kerr: The provisions included within the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill are generic powers to allow Scottish ministers and bodies appointed by them to enter into joint ventures for the provision of health services.

  The powers sought are based on the recommendation by the Short Life Working Group on Joint Premises (which reported in July 2003) that powers be made available to Scottish ministers and health bodies to provide an additional vehicle for premises development. There is no policy intention for joint venture companies established to provide clinical services.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will exclude facilities management from any Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) schemes, as referred to in the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill.

Mr Andy Kerr: On 11 November 2002, Scottish ministers published the SE/STUC Protocol on staffing matters in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). It set out the key principles and good practice which Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) are expected to follow when considering and then progressing PPPs. The protocol, which also protects staff interests, will apply to the provision of facilities management (FM) services in public private joint ventures.

  The Protocol reflects the inclusion of Hard FM services within all PPP projects. With regard to Soft FM services a guidance note on public sector involvement in PPP Facilities Management Delivery issued by the Scottish Executive Financial Partnerships Unit in September 2003.

  A Joint Premises Project Board has been established to take forward the development of joint ventures as specified within the bill. Part of this board’s work will include consideration of the scope of soft FM services to be included or not within public private joint ventures. Regardless of the outcome of these deliberations, the principles contained within the protocol regarding the protection of staff interests will be maintained.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates the cost will be to public services of facilitating the implementation of any Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) schemes or similar schemes, including legal and management consultancy fees.

Mr Andy Kerr: Options are currently being explored on possible joint venture structures including those where Scottish ministers could take a direct equity interest in each joint venture. The financial memorandum accompanying the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill provides details of the cost estimates for the development of joint ventures based on a LIFT type financing structure.

  The Executive is of the view that there will be no impact on other aspects of public expenditure, including local authorities, or on the costs of the voluntary or private sectors or individuals, as a result of the creation of joint ventures. Whether public or private bodies are investors or tenants within facilities developed under the joint venture model, procedures will be in place on which value for money can be assessed and tested on an on-going basis.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any subsidies for local improvement will be conditional on public bodies entering into Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) schemes or similar schemes.

Mr Andy Kerr: The joint venture model is an additional vehicle for investment. It will not be mandatory. It is for local partnerships to make that decision. Public sector investment will continue to be targeted at areas where joint ventures may not be appropriate.

  The Executive remains committed to a programme of sustained development in primary care premises. Capital investment is set to increase on average by £60 million each year from 2005-06 to 2007-08. By 2007-08 capital funding will be almost £531 million. In addition to expected PPP investment of £0.750 billion, there will be a £1.4 billion investment in NHS infrastructure through public capital over the next three years. Within the Executive’s recently published Infrastructure Investment Strategy, £115 million in public capital has been specifically identified to develop primary and dental care facilities.

Health

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12632 by Mr Andy Kerr on 13 December 2004, how many applications have now been received for the Skipton Fund and how many have been successful.

Mr Andy Kerr: As at 4 March 2005 the Skipton Fund reported:

  

 
Stage 1 Payment
Stage 2 Payment


Completed applications received1
3,389
284


Total payments made
2,924
248


Payments to Scottish claimants
415
44



  Note: 1. This is a UK figure and is not broken down into administrations.

Health

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12642 by Mr Andy Kerr on 13 December 2004, how many appeals have now been lodged in respect of unsuccessful applications to the Skipton Fund and how many have been completed.

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that a full appeals procedure is in place for unsuccessful applications to the Skipton Fund.

Mr Andy Kerr: The composition of the appeals panel and the appeals process are still under consideration.

  I hope to be in a position to advise soon when the panel is expected to be operational.

Health

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant episodes were completed in 2004.

Mr Andy Kerr: In-patient and day case activity 1 by specialty group for the year ending December 2004 P is shown in the following table.

  

Specialty Group
In-Patient Discharges2
Day Cases
Total Activity2


All Specialties
973,360
398,667
1,372,027


Acute Medical
377,403
144,299
521,702


Acute Surgical
373,788
189,243
563,031


Dental
5,634
14,758
20,392


Geriatric Medicine
56,050
75
56,125


GP other than Obstetrics
21,476
653
22,129


Learning Disabilities
2,230
0
2,230


Neo/Post-Natal Cot
6,765
0
6,765


Obstetrics
89,697
27,063
116,760


Psychiatry
28,342
0
28,342


Radiology Specialties
11,975
22,576
34,551



  Source: ISD Scotland [Form ISD(S)1].

  PData are provisional and may contain estimates.

  Notes:

  1. Includes joint-user and contractual hospitals.

  2. Excludes consultant-to-consultant transfers.

  Please note that out-patient activity is excluded from the table.

Health

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-13634 by Rhona Brankin on 25 February 2005, to which organisations the £15.118 million from the Health Improvement Fund, initially retained by the Scottish Executive, was distributed and how much each organisation received.

Rhona Brankin: The proportion of the Health Improvement Fund retained by the Scottish Executive was subsequently subsumed within a number of other health budgets. It is not therefore possible to give any further breakdown of expenditure other than the general proposals detailed in Putting the Pieces In Place,  the publication to which I referred in the answer given to question S2W-13047, answered on 18 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will subsidise directly any Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) schemes or similar schemes proposed for Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: Projects delivered under the joint venture arrangement will be supported through public capital enabling funds which will facilitate site purchase, demolition and clearance costs as well as addressing negative equity concerns of GPs. The underlying principle of LIFT is that a LIFT Company requires to pay market value for any property transferred to it and therefore such enabling funds will return to the public sector for reinvestment in services. There is therefore no subsidy.

  Given LIFT is a public private joint venture model, any financial gain made on the development of a particular site would be shared between shareholders including the public profit.

  However, throughout the life of the project the Scottish Executive will not subsidise directly any joint venture. As with any other PPP/PFI project, a joint venture would go ahead only on the basis of an approved business case which would have to demonstrate affordability and value for money.

  Standard contract documentation prepared for the NHS LIFT development in England includes provisions that ensure the LIFT company provides services at its own risk and there is no recourse to public funds beyond the initial investment made by public sector partners. Any development of a LIFT type model in Scotland would apply the same principles.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that sufficient resources are available to provide pain relief to everybody who requires it.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS boards are expected to fund services from the unified budgets made available to them by the Executive, which will be increased by an average of 7.6%, more than twice the rate of inflation, in the coming financial year. The Executive is however looking at ways to make a more efficient use of resources. We have made the report of an independent review of chronic pain services available to NHS boards and will be convening a conference to discuss best practice on pain management in the near future.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all 65 single seller surveys conducted in Glasgow were paid for by the seller prior to each property being placed on the market.

Malcolm Chisholm: No. We are aware that the costs of some of the survey reports were met at least initially by selling agents or surveyors.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all lenders have agreed to accept the single seller survey.

Malcolm Chisholm: On the basis of discussion with the Council of Mortgage Lenders it was expected that during the period of the single survey pilot, its members would accept the single survey valuation in all but exceptional circumstances. Purchasers were encouraged to ask their lenders if the survey transcript would be acceptable. We are aware of only one instance during the pilot where the lender was unwilling to accept the valuation. More information will be available in the evaluation report.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all members of the Steering Group into the Single Seller Survey agreed that the system should be mandatory.

Malcolm Chisholm: No. The decision to move towards the introduction of a mandatory scheme has been made by the Scottish Executive in the light of the progress of the voluntary pilot scheme and our conclusion following discussion with stakeholders that there are no alternative approaches which will deliver the objectives of the single survey. In making this decision we took account of discussion in the steering group about the progress of the pilot and of responses to the Housing Bill consultation. Our approach has also been informed by the recommendation of the Housing Improvement Task Force in March 2003 that the option of legislation to introduce the single survey should be held in reserve should this be required.

Housing

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Communities Scotland agreed to fund Barrhead Housing Association for the purpose of acquiring land at Maple Avenue, Newton Mearns, and building a domestic abuse refuge on the land.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland administers the Scottish Executive’s Domestic Abuse Refuge Accommodation Programme (DARAP). Following the appraisal of a bid for DARAP funding from East Renfrewshire Council, funding was provided to Barrhead Housing Association for the acquisition of land at Maple Avenue to allow the development of a domestic abuse refuge. Because of site problems which became known subsequently, options for the future use of the site are under consideration.

Housing

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding allocated to the domestic abuse refuge project at Maple Avenue, Newton Mearns has been (a) spent to date, (b) diverted to other projects, broken down by project and (c) returned to the Executive unspent.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The Maple Avenue refuge project was awarded £724,933.98 from the Domestic Abuse Refuge Accommodation Programme (DARAP) fund.

  To date expenditure of £169,359 has been incurred in respect of acquisition costs associated with the site at Maple Avenue.

  As a result of unforeseen circumstances, the provision of a domestic abuse refuge is being provided elsewhere within East Renfrewshire. A sum of £528,327 will be made available to meet the development costs at this alternative location, however, to date no monies have been drawn down against this project.

  The balance of £27,247 remains available to the Executive for use on other domestic abuse projects.

  The public investment in the Maple Avenue site will be protected either through full recovery or the development of the site for affordable housing purposes.

Housing

Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why Communities Scotland offered Barrhead Housing Association a separate grant of £528,327 to fund the domestic abuse refuge project at Maple Avenue, Newton Mearns when it was competitively costed at £68,000; from which source this grant support has become available, and whether the cost of £528,327 has been independently appraised by external consultants and, if so, which consultants.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland has not offered Barrhead Housing Association grant funding of £528,327 to fund a domestic abuse refuge project at Maple Avenue, Newton Mearns.

  The award of grant for the Maple Avenue site was £724,933.98, of which £169,359 has been drawn down. The award was made after a full appraisal by Communities Scotland against grant guidelines.

Justice

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14572 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 March 2005 on the report on the review of arrest warrants, what progress has been made in implementing the 20 recommendations in the report.

Cathy Jamieson: Progress is being made in implementing the recommendations of the Short-Term Working Group on Outstanding Warrants.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is setting up an implementation team to take forward the recommendations that relate to the ACPOS and the police. An initial meeting is scheduled for 24 March which should steer future developments in relation to the recommendations. The ACPOS recognises the need to progress the recommendations and to seek cross-force partnership working.

  During 2005, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary will be carrying out Primary Inspections of Northern and Fife Constabularies as well as review inspections of several other forces. The inspections will look at force procedures in relation to the execution of warrants. The results of these inspections will be published.

  A working group involving the ACPOS, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Court Service and the Scottish Executive is being set up to develop the existing protocol on prioritisation of warrants.

  The National Criminal Justice Board considered the recommendation that they should develop appropriate measures of organisational performance on warrants at its meeting on 8 March.

  The Executive is examining the penalties associated with section 150 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (failure of accused to appear). The Executive is also working with the Department for Constitutional Affairs to ensure that there is appropriate guidance on the opportunities to share information to secure the execution of warrants.

Ministerial Costs

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on official ministerial (a) business cards, (b) headed paper and (c) compliment slips in each year since 1999.

Mr Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive does not buy pre-printed headed paper. All letter heads have been set up as electronic templates, which are printed out locally by each business area using standard office paper. This policy has been in effect since devolution in 1999.

  The Executive does not keep records centrally which clearly identify the breakdown of spend on ministerial business cards and compliment slips.

NHS 24

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what complaints have been received regarding the standard of service cover and delivery since the introduction of NHS 24 to the Scottish Borders.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS Borders and NHS Dumfries and Galloway are responsible for providing family practitioner service out-of-hours within their board areas, with support from NHS 24, which triages calls to ensure that patients receive the care appropriate to their needs. As a rule, complaints about the standard of service provided will be directed to the appropriate responsible organisation. I have asked the chairs of these NHS boards and of NHS 24 to write to you about this matter.

  Between 1 April 2004 and 28 February 2005, NHS 24 dealt with 1.19 million calls across Scotland. In that same period the Executive received 86 specific complaints about NHS 24 and the out-of-hours GP services. Six of these complaints came from patients in NHS Borders and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

  On 24 February 2005 I announced that I was establishing a review group to consider the operational performance of NHS 24 and to come forward with recommendations for action, including actions for NHS 24, NHS boards, other partners and the Health Department for improving the services provided.

NHS Waiting Times

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times are for dermatology appointments, broken down by NHS board area.

Mr Andy Kerr: The median waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant in the specialty of dermatology, following referral by a General Medical Practitioner, by NHS board of residence, in the year ended 31 December 2004, are given in the table. The all-Scotland median waiting time of 53 days is a reduction of six days on the position in the previous year.

  The Centre for Change and Innovation is undertaking the largest out-patient improvement programme seen in Scotland to create sustainable change, improve patient choice and assist NHSScotland to meet the national maximum waiting time of 26 weeks from the end of 2005. The Skin Action Scotland national redesign project is piloting innovations including nurse-led and GP with special interest-led clinics, which should improve patient access and reduce waiting times and the implementation of patient-focused booking will allow patients to have input into the timing of their appointment.

  NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for a First Out-Patient Appointment with a Consultant in Dermatology, Following a General Medical Practitioner Referral, by NHS Board of Residence: Year Ended 31 December 2004P

  

NHS Board
Median Wait


Argyll and Clyde
71 days


Ayrshire and Arran
66 days


Borders
85 days


Dumfries and Galloway
19 days


Fife
74 days


Forth Valley
150 days


Grampian
93 days


Greater Glasgow
45 days


Highland
28 days


Lanarkshire
71 days


Lothian
49 days


Orkney
88 days


Shetland
130 days


Tayside
48 days


Western Isles
35 days


Scotland
53 Days



  Source: ISD Scotland, SMR00.

  PProvisional.

  Note: Excludes patients with an Availability Status Code.

National Health Service

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations took place in the NHS in each year since 1991.

Mr Andy Kerr: Operations are carried out within NHSScotland in a wide range of settings dependent on a number of factors including the complexity of the operation and the clinical and personal needs of the patient. Complete information on the range of operations performed in NHSScotland in every possible setting is not available but national sources do provide a detailed account of surgical activity in certain cases. Comparability over time is affected by changes in clinical practice, service redesign, the development of non-invasive treatments for some conditions and the development of technology which allows procedures to be carried out in a community or out-patient setting which does not involve a hospital stay.

  1. Information on the numbers of in-patient/day case operations performed annually in NHSScotland is available at http://www2.isdscotland.org/acute_activity/surgical.asp.

  For all procedures select PROC1 after selecting link. The spreadsheet accessible from this link covers the period 1990-91 to 2003-04.

  2. From April 2003 the national reporting of surgical activity in out-patients has been required and ISD has been working with NHS boards to develop full compliance nationally. Comprehensive information on out-patient surgical activity is not yet available but indicative information on common out-patient procedures is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/collect2.jsp?pContentID=1232&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&in. Scroll down after selecting the above link.

  3. Information on surgery performed in obstetrics, principally Caesarean Sections, is available at http://www.isdscotland.org/births. Select "information" link on left hand side of screen after selecting link.

  Information on surgical activity in other NHSScotland settings (e.g. minor operations performed in general practice) is not available from routine statistical returns.

People with Disabilities

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue statutory guidance to local authorities in order to improve services for people with dual sensory impairment.

Rhona Brankin: The Executive is currently implementing the recommendations within the Sensory Impairment Action Plan in order to improve access to community services for sensory impaired people.

  The next meeting of the Action Plan Steering Group will be discussing the nature and timing of associated statutory guidance.

People with Disabilities

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism it will use to issue statutory guidance to local authorities in order to improve services for people with dual sensory impairment.

Rhona Brankin: Any guidance that is issued following the implementation of the Sensory Impairment Action Plan will be under Section 5(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

Prison Service

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the total cost to the public purse, including legal aid fees, of challenges under the European Convention on Human Rights from prisoners in respect of conditions in prison.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-14689, answered on 9 March 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search.

  It would be speculation to estimate the number, outcome and cost of ECHR related cases that might be taken to court in future.

Prison Service

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases it estimates will be brought to court by prisoners in challenges under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and what contingency it has set aside to meet claims.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-14689, answered on 9 March 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search.

  It would be speculation to estimate the number, outcome and cost of ECHR related cases that might be taken to court in future.

Racism

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland on its thematic inspection of the response of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on race issues will be available.

Colin Boyd QC: The inspectorate’s report has been published today and is available on the Scottish Executive’s website. www.scotland.gov.uk .

  The report makes 12 recommendations, all of which I have accepted. Our full departmental response has now been published on the Crown Office website www.crownoffice.gov.uk

  Copies of the report have also been placed in the Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. number: 35625)

Road Accidents

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths have occurred on motorways in (a) total and (b) each local authority area in each year since 1997.

Nicol Stephen: The information requested is given in the following table. This was produced from data, about injury road accidents, which were collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the Stats 19 statistical returns. Information for 2004 is not yet available. In accordance with the normal definitions of road accident statistics, motorways include A(M) roads.

  

Local Authority
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003


Dumfries and Galloway
1
0
1
0
0
5
3


East Renfrewshire
1
0
0
0
0
0
1


Edinburgh, City of
0
1
0
0
0
0
0


Falkirk
4
2
0
0
3
5
1


Fife
0
0
0
0
1
2
0


Glasgow City
2
1
1
10
3
0
1


North Lanarkshire
2
1
0
0
2
1
4


Perth and Kinross
0
0
0
0
1
4
0


Renfrewshire
0
0
0
2
0
0
0


South Lanarkshire
4
0
5
5
0
6
1


Stirling
1
0
2
0
0
0
0


West Lothian
0
2
0
0
1
1
1


Scotland
15
7
9
17
11
24
12

Roads

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance appraisal report on a proposal for a link road between Dumfries and the M74.

Nicol Stephen: It is understood that Dumfries and Galloway Council are currently preparing a Part 1 STAG appraisal entitled Dumfries Transport Links to Motorway Network .

Skye Bridge

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue a toll revocation order for the purpose of deregulating the A87 Skye Bridge crossing.

Nicol Stephen: It is the intention of the Scottish Executive to lay before the Parliament a toll revocation order in relation to the Skye Bridge crossing prior to the Easter recess.

Social Inclusion

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support financial education.

Malcolm Chisholm: As part of our Closing the Opportunity Gap commitment to tackling financial exclusion and as highlighted in our recent Financial Inclusion Action Plan, we are committed to working at ways of increasing individuals’ levels of financial literacy. We are exploring different approaches to this with three separate financial education projects in partnership with Citizens Advice Service, Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project and the Young Scot Money Line initiative – totalling £1.4 million over the next two years. The aim of these projects is to allow individuals to increase their financial capability and make better informed decisions about which products best meet their needs.

Student Finance

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate students declared themselves bankrupt in 2004.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AIB) collects information on sequestrations in Scotland. The AIB have informed me that information on the number of undergraduate and postgraduate students declaring themselves bankrupt is not collected.

Teacher Training

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between its Education Department and Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department to ensure that appropriate planning is in place for 2005-06 and beyond to plan placements for those undertaking teacher training in good time.

Peter Peacock: No discussions have taken place between the two Government Departments regarding student placements. It is for the Teacher Education Institutions, local authorities and their schools to plan school placements for student teachers for 2005-06 and beyond. The Executive will co-operate whenever appropriate to assist arrangements.

Telecommunications

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in ensuring that all communities are broadband-enabled and when it expects the process to be completed.

Nicol Stephen: Broadband is currently available to more than 93% of Scottish households. The Executive is in the final negotiation stages of its procurement which aims to deliver broadband access to every Scottish community by the end of this year.

Wildlife

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote the use of deer whistles to prevent accidents and whether it will invite the Deer Commission for Scotland to study the findings of the project funded through the Californian Office of Traffic Safety in the County of Modoc, California, which showed that, in a period of about two years when 1,648 air actuated and electronic deer whistles were distributed free to drivers, there was a 99.6% level of confidence that deer whistles were responsible for the reduction in the number of collisions with deer involving vehicles fitted with these whistles.

Lewis Macdonald: The Deer Commission for Scotland will consider all viable options in their on-going research, consideration and priority site action on deer related road accidents.